Toni Sharp is candidate for Rehoboth Commissioner

Sharp to run for Rehoboth commissioner

Photo by: Ryan Mavity The field for the Rehoboth Beach election is set with the addition of Toni Sharp to the race for two commissioners seats.

Rehoboth Beach — The field is set for this year's Rehoboth Beach election, featuring two incumbents and a political newcomer.

Toni Sharp, a Silver Lake resident, is running for political office for the first time. Three candidates will be running for two seats in the Saturday, Aug. 11 election. Also in the race are incumbent commissioners Patrick Gossett and Bill Sargent.

“I’m going to lose my 30 pounds by walking the streets of Rehoboth knocking on doors,” she said. “I think it will be so exciting to be able to get involved with the potential of actually being able to work with this fabulous group of people.

Sharp is relatively new to Rehoboth, having moved the city in 2000, but she considers it her home. She lives on Scarborough Avenue Extended and is running as a resident.

“I just discovered Rehoboth in 1996. Someone gave me a parking pass and the rest was history,” Sharp said.

Born and raised in Dallas, she spent a career in business there before coming to the East Coast in 1992.

Sharp said her biggest issues are preservation, particularly of the lakes. She said the city should look to its comprehensive development plan to find ways to better protect the health and beauty of the lakes.

“It’s a slice of heaven. It’s unique. I would like to help preserve all the beauty that we’ve got here and the uniqueness of our community. It needs to be cared for,” Sharp said.

Enforcement of existing ordinances, such as the tree ordinance, was also on her list of issues, as well as ensuring transparency in government.

“Its really about three things: bringing a fresh perspective. Looking at what is already on the books. Is it enforced? If it is, great. If it isn’t, why not? And then having a transparent, open and representative government,” she said.

Sharp said she was looking forward to getting out on the campaign trail.

“I wake up at 4:15 a.m. thinking about this now. I am beside myself and anxious to get started,” she said before realizing the election is only 10 weeks away. “Oh my goodness, 10 weeks is a very short period of time. It will be a great, healthy activity for this summer of knocking on doors, getting to know a lot more people and listening to them.”